Manitoba Moose Sign Three Defensemen

The Manitoba Moose have signed Dawson Barteaux, Ashton Sautner, and Ben Zloty to two-year contracts through the 2025-26 season.

The first of two Manitoba locals signed, Dawson Barteaux recently appeared in 45 games for the Manitoba Moose during the 2023-24 season. Hailing from Foxwarren, Manitoba, the 24-year-old defenseman posted 19 points (5G, 14A) and also appeared in two Calder Cup Playoff games.

Barteaux ranked third in Moose defenders in goals, assists and points while also setting career highs in each category. Barteaux also played 15 games in the ECHL for the Idaho Steelheads, posting 13 points (3G, 10A) and four assists in five Kelly Cup Playoff games.

Ashton Sautner is the second Manitoba local signed in this batch. In 65 regular season games, Sautner posted 11 points (5G, 6A) for the Moose in his ninth AHL season. The Flin Flon, Manitoba product tied for fifth in goals for Moose defenseman and posted a new career high for defensemen.

The 30-year-old Sautner has 416 career AHL games under his belt with 85 points (21G, 64A) for the Manitoba Moose, Abbotsford Canucks and Utica Comets. He’s an AHL veteran and has 23 NHL games for the Vancouver Canucks with three career assists/points in that time.

Ben Zloty had a great showing in 42 games for the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads. 2023-24 was the 22-year-old defender’s first professional season where he scored 23 points (7G, 16A) in that time. From Calgary, Alberta, Zloty made his AHL debut on February 27th, 2024 against the San Diego Gulls.

Zloty also isn’t a stranger to Manitoba, previously playing for the Winnipeg Ice of the WHL where he posted 189 points (26G, 163A) in 207 games. He’s a strong puck-moving defender who can also rack up assists, as he posted 68 assists and 81 points during his 2022-23 season which earned him East Division First Team All-Star honors.

Barteaux, Sautner, and Zloty will provide great depth and stabilize the Moose’s blueline in 2024-25. The Moose are currently in the 2024 Winnipeg Jets development camp and will take the remainder of the off-season to shape what the 2024-25 Manitoba Moose look like come opening night.